Things You'll Need:
- Grapefruit tree
- Shovel
- Compost
- Citrus fertilizer
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Step 1
Ensure your climate is suitable for a grapefruit tree. These trees prefer a subtropical climate and normally grow best on the west or south side of a building, where the sun exposure is greater. You can protect a grapefruit tree from cold and wind by planting it next to a fence or other vertical barrier.
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Step 2
Dig a hole about 3 feet wide and slightly less deep than the container. Fill the hole with water and allow it to stand overnight. You might need to make the hole deeper if the water hasn't drained from it by morning.
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Step 3
Obtain a young grapefruit tree in a container. Grapefruit trees are readily available from many nurseries. Inquire about cold-resistant cultivars if you're not in a subtropical climate. Also ask about the size of the mature tree, to ensure it will fit in the selected location.
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Step 4
Fill the hole with enough compost and loosened soil to ensure that none of the trunk will be below the surface of the soil. Add citrus fertilizer to this mixture according to the instructions. Place the grapefruit tree in the hole at a slightly elevated level to allow for settling. Fill the rest of the hole with a mixture of compost and loosened soil.
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Step 5
Give the tree at least one thorough watering each week during the first two months after transplant. It will still require regular water after it becomes established, although a mature grapefruit tree has some drought tolerance. Remove all of the fruit from the tree during the first two growing seasons to help it grow as quickly as possible.
